Rotary scraper having power control



May 2', 1933. H. RICKS, JR

ROTARY SCRAPER HAVING POWER CONTROL Filed July 19, 1930 3 Shgegs-Sheet l Array/v54 May 2, 1933. H. RICKS, JR

ROTARY SCRAP ER HAVING POWER CONTROL Filed July 19, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A rro/nwfx May 2, 1933. H. RICKS, JR

ROTARY SQRAPER HAVING POWER CONTROL File July 19, 1930 s Sheets-Sheet s 'Arromvik 5 Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE" HYRUM RICKS, JR., OF FELL, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO LATHROP INVESTMENT CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ROTARY SCR-APER HAVING POWER CONTROL Application filed July 19,

My invention relates to rotary earth scrapers, and relates particularly to an earth scraper having a novel mechanism for controlling the position of the scoop.

Earth scrapers of the general character used in the industry today include a main frame or draft frame having a revolvable scoop connected thereto. The scoop is provided with stops which are engaged by an eugager, the engager being supported by a latch means. Control means is provided for the latch meanswhereby the latch means may cause the scoop to be supported in digging position or carrying position, and the engager is operable so that it can be operated to release the stops of the scoop in order to permit it to revolve.

It is the broad object of my inventlon to provide a scraper of the general type 1nd1- cated above in which the position of the scoop is controlled by a power'operated means.

It is another object of my invention to provide an earth scraper of the character designated in which the latch bar is moved by a power-operated means for the purpose of supporting the scoop either 1n a digging position or a carrying position.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a power-operated means for the purpose pointed out in the preceding paragraph which includes a screw means, by means of which the latch means is positioned to carry the scoop in a digging position or in a carrying position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a rotary scraper in which the means for controlling the position of the latch means is connected to and operated by the draft vehicle.

It is another object of my invention to provide an earth scraper, as referred to in the preceding paragraph, which is designed to permit an easy turning of the scoop and to permit the parts to adjust themselves as the earth scraper passes over irregularities on the ground.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel means whereby the engager may 1930. Serial No. 469,052.

be released from engagement with the stops of the scoop.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a scoo release means which may be released wit out any appreciable manual efi'ort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scoop release means in which the 0 eration thereof is manually initiated, an in.

which the engager is moved into disengaged position by the pressure of the stops of the scoop against the engager.

The preferred form of my invention illustrated herein includes various additional objects which will be pointed out during the detailed description of this form of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my invention with the scoop in carrying position.

Fig. 2 is an elevational View with the scoop in digging position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional yiew showing the scoop release means of the lnvention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fi 7 taken as indicated by the arrows 8 of igs. 2 and 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 11 represents a main frame or draft frame. This draft frame 11 consists of a central bar 12, to the forward end of which is connected diverging side bars 14, the connection of the side bars 14 and the central bar 12 being effected by suitable connector plates 15. Connected to the rearward end of the central bar 12 and to the outer rearward ends of the diverging bars 14 is a cross-bar 16. Extending rearward from the juncture of the cross-bar 16 and the diverging bars 1 1 are side bars 17 which incline downward and rearward, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Supported at the rearward ends of the side bars 17 are bearing members 18 through which shafts or trunnions 19 extend. The trunnions 19 have wheels 20 rotatably supported thereon.

Placed between the side bars 17 is ascoo 21 from which the trunnions 19 extend. he scoop 21 has a cutting edge or plate 23 which, when the scoop is in digging position, as shown in Fig. 2, is adapted to engage the surface of the ground and gather earth into the scoop. Connected to the forward end of the main frame 11 is an attaching means which consists of a pair of horizontally spaced plates 24 to which a draft link 25 is pivotally connected. The draft link 25 is also connected to a fixture 26 provided by the tractive vehicle.

For the purpose of controlling the position of the scoop 21, the invention has a latch means in the form of a latch frame 28 which is horizontally disposed and which is piv0t ally connected at 29 to an upright lever 30. The lower part of the lever 30 is connected by a pivot pin 31 to the central bar 12 of the main frame 11. The rearward end of the latch frame 28 extends over the central part of the scoop and has connected thereto a scoop release means 32 which will now be described, reference being had particularly to Figs. 7 and 8.

The numeral 35 represents an engager which is pivoted on a shaft 36 to the latch frame 28. As shown best in Fig. 8, the latch frame 28-consists of a pair of bars 37 between which the engager 35 is supported and to which the pivot shaft 36 is connected. The engager 35 has a depending p ortion 38 which is adapted to engage one of the central stops 40 which is carried by the scoop 21. The engager 35 has an upwardly extending portion 41 which is forward of the pivot bar 36 and slightly forward and above the depending portion 38. The upwardly extending portion 41 is connected by a pivot 42 to the forward end of an operating arm 43. Connected to the operating arm 43 is a spring 44, which spring 44 is also connected to the rearward end of the latch frame 28, and the function of this spring is to hold the operating arm in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 7. Supported by the latch frame 28 forwardly of the engager 35 is a pivot 45 on which the forward end of a curved lever 46 is pivotally supported. This curved lever 46 has a central hump which permits it to extend around the pivot 42 when the parts occupy the position shown by full lines in Fig. 7. A stop 46a on the lever 46 determines this full-line position of the lever. The

rearward end of the curved lever 46 is connected by a pivot 47 to the operating arm 43 in back or to the rear of the pivot 42.

The scoop release mechanism now being considered is adapted to be held locked in the position shown in Fig. 7 by the pressure of the stop 40 against the engager 35. WVhen, however, the operating arm is pulled forward slightly by the use of a rope 49, the release device is thrown into such position that the force of the stop against the engager acts to move the parts into a released position, as indicated by broken lines 50 of Fig. 7, which position is determined by a stop 43a. The reason for this operation may be described as follows:

The line A-A extends through the centers of the pivots 45 and 47. The center of the pivot 42 to which the upwardly extending portion 41 of the engager 35 is connected rests above the line AA when the parts are in full line position as shown in Fig. 7. The pressure of the stop 40 against the engager 35 tends to rotate the engager in a direction indlcated by the arrow 51. This tends to move the pivot 42 in an upward and rearward direction, but this movement is restrained due to the fact that the curved lever 46 prevents the operating arm from moving, and the o crating arm in turn prevents the engager rom moving. The result of the force applied to the engager is to lock the parts zin the position shown in full lines in A latch member 55 is pivotally positioned between the bars 37 in such a manner as to engage the rearward edge of the stop 40 to prevent a rearward rotation of the scoop 21. The latch 55 is actuated by gravity and is provided with a stop 56 which limits the downward movement thereof.

When it is desired to release the engager from contact with the stop 40, the operator pulls forward on the operating arm 43. The operating arm is moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 53, and it moves around the pivot 42. When the operating arm is moved to the extent that the line AA, extending throu h the centers of the pivots 45 and 47, rises a ove the pivot 42, the pressure ofthe stop 40 against the engager tends to move the engager rearward; and in view of the fact that the center of the pivot 42 is now below the line AA the forward end of the operating arm 43 may move rearward, which causes the parts to swing into the position indicated by broken lines 50.

The manual effort required to move the operating arm 43 the short distance required to throw the release means off balance is but very slight and requires practically no physical effort. When this movement has occurred, or, in other words, when the operation of the release means has been initiated, the pressure of the stop 40 against the engager 35 is effective to move the engager into disengaged position. When the stop 40 moves past the engager 35, the spring 44 will again return the arts into full-line position, and they will be locked in this position until again manually released, or until the operation is again manually initiated.

The release means which is described constitutes one of the important parts of my present invention and has the important advanta e of reducing to a minimum the manual e ort necessary to release the scoop 21.

I will now describe the means for controlling the osition of the latch frame 28, which means so constitutes an extremely important part of the invention.

As shown best in Figs. 4 and 5, the upright lever 30 is composed of a pair of bars 60. Carried between the bars 60 is a nut 61 having trunnions 62 extending into the bars 60. The trunnions are pivotally supported in the bars 60 and therefore permit the nut 61 to rotate on a horizontal axis. Adapted to be threaded through the nut 61 is a shaft 64 having threads 65. Threadedly secured to the nut 61 and extending therefrom in opposite di rections around the shaft 64 are protector sleeves 66 and 67.

The forward part of the shaft 64 is rotatably supported by a bearing 69. This bearin 69 has horizontally extending trunnions 70 which are rotatably supported by a bearing-supporting bracket 71 secured to the forward end of the main frame 11. The shaft 64 is permitted to rotate in the bearing 69 but is restrained from axial movement by a shoulder 72 of the shaft 64 and by a collar 73 which is secured thereon.

Connected to the forward end of the shaft 64 in front of the bearing 69 is a universal joint 75. Extending forward from the universal joint 75 is a tubular member 76 which forms a part of an extensible joint 77. Extending into a portion 78 of the tubular member 76 is a shaft7 9 which is of a corresponding cross-section, this shaft 79 comprising a part of the extensible joint. Connected to the forward end of the shaft 79 is another universal joint 80. The universal joint 80 is connected to a shaft 81 which pro ects from a power box 82 which forms a part of the tractive vehicle. The power box 82 does not constitute a part of this invention but may be purchased on the market. For this reason I will not describe the details of construction thereof. Extending from the power box 82 are levers 84 and 85, and when one of these levers is operated the shaft 81 is rotated in one direction, and when another of the levers is operated the shaft 81 is rotated in the opposite direction.

The operation of this part of the invention is as follows: When it is desired to gather earth it is necessary to move the scoop from carrying position, as shown in Fig. 1, into digging position, as shown in Fig. 2. This is accomplished by operating either the lever 84 or the lever 85 in order to rotate the shaft 81 in a proper direction. When the shaft 81 is rotated in the proper direction, the shaft 64 is revolved and the nut 61 is moved forward. When this occurs the lever 30 is swung in a clockwise direction and the latch frame 28 is moved forward. The engager 35, being supported thereby, moves forward and permits the scoop to move in a clockwise direction. This movement continues until the cutting edge 23 engages the ground and takes the proper depthof cutting. At this time the power box 82 is released from operation.

The scoo is now in a digging osition and is drawn a on the ground unti it is filled with earth. When the scoop is filled with earth the operator will then desire to return the scoop to carrying position to carry the load to the place where the earth is to be dumped. The scoop is moved into carrying position by operating the proper lever 84 or 85 in order to rotate the parts in such a direction that the shaft 64 will be rotated to move the nut 61 in a rearward direction. This swings the lever 30 in a counter-clockwise direction and moves the latch frame rearward. The engager supported thereby, by reason of its engagement with the stop 40, rotates the scoop in a counter-clockwise direction and thus returns it to carrying position.

The universal joints 75 and 80 are provided to permit the scraper to pivot on a vertical axis where the scraper is connected to the tractive vehicle. This is necessary in order that the scraper be pulled through curved paths. The extensible joint 77 is provided to permit the scraper to be drawn over irregular surfaces. It will be seen that when the tractive vehicle or the scraper passes over,

mounds or depressions there must be a movement at the connection of the scraper and tractive vehicle on a horizontal axis. To compensate for this it is necessary that there be a relative forward or backward movement between the universal joints 75 and 80.

To assist in holding the latch bar in proper longitudinal position, I provide a guideyoke 88 which is supported by the rearward end of the protector sleeve 65. This guideyoke 88 has a pair of arms 89 which extend upward on opposite sides of the latch frame 28 and prevent it from moving laterally any great distance.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the use of the scraper of my invention does not require any great physical effort to operate. In fact, the scraper may be operated by a man over long periods of time without his becoming physically tired. The release means of the invention is designed, as previously pointed out, so that the operator to release the scoop in order to dump it merely initiates the releasing operation of the operatin means and, having done this, the pressure 0% the stop 40 against the engager moves the engager into a released positlon.

' When the operator desires to move the scoop from a digging position into a carrying position, the only manual effort required is the moving of either the lever 84 or the lever 85 in order to operate the power box. This can be done by applying a light force to either of the levers. The position of the scoop is tion; a lever pivotall connected to said draft power controlled, and any depth cut or any carrying position may be readily obtained. The scraper of this invention has a decided advantage over the manually controlled scrapers which have but one digging position and but one carryi position. 11 my invention a plurality of i ging positions are possible and consequent y the amount of work which can be accomplished by the earth scraper may be materially increased, and it also may be used where only a light cut is to be taken. The earth scraper of this invention is adapted for universal use and it is'unnecessary to have a number of scrapers which have different characteristics. My scraper is so designed that by properly operating the power control mechanism any type of cut or carrying position may be had.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame whereby said scoop is moved; a latch means whereby said scoop may be retained in digging or carrying position;

a lever pivotally connected to said draft frame and said latch means; a nut connected to said lever; a threaded shaft engaging said nut; a bearing means carried by said draft frame and supporting said shaft; protector means attached to said nut and surrounding said shaft; and connecting means whereby said shaft may be connected to a power drive mechanism.

2. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame whereby said scoop is moved; a latch means whereby said scoop may be retained in digging or carrying position; a lever pivotally connected to said draft frame and said latch means; a nut connected to said lever; a threaded shaft engaging said nut; a bearing means carried by said draft frame and supporting said shaft; protector means attached to said nut and surrounding said shaft; guide means carried by said protector means for guiding said latch means; and connecting means whereby said shaft may be connected to a power drive mechanism.

3. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame whereby said scoop is moved; a latch means whereby said scoop may be retained in digging or carrying position; a lever pivotally connected to said draft frame and said latch means; a nut connected to said lever; a threaded shaft engaging said nut; a bearing means carried by said draft frame and supporting said shaft; protector means attached to said nut and surrounding said shaft; and connecting means including universal joints whereby said shaft may be connected to a power drive mechanism.

4. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame whereby said scoop is moved; a latch means whereby said scoop may be retained in digging or carrying posiframe and said late means; a nut pivotally connected to said lever; a threaded shaft engaging said nut; a bearing means pivotally carried by said draft frame and supporting said shaft; protector means attached to said nut and surrounding said shaft; and connecting means whereby said shaft may be connected to a power drive mechanism.

5. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame whereby said scoop is moved; a latch means whereby said scoop may be retained in digging or carrying position; a lever pivotally connected to said draft frame and said latch means; a nut pivotally connected to said lever; a threaded shaft engaging said nut; a bearing means pivotally carried by said draft frame and supporting said shaft; protector means attached to said nut and surrounding said shaft; guide means carried by said protector means for guiding said latch means; and connecting means whereby said shaft may be connected to a power drive mechanism.

6. In an earth scraper, the combination of: a scoop; a draft frame for drawing said scoop along the ground; a stop carried by said scoop; a latch means; an engager carried by said latch means and engageable with said stop; and means for retaining said engager in engaging position, said means being operable to release said engager so that it may be moved into disengaged position by the force of said stop thereagainst, said means including an operating arm pivoted to said engager, and a lever pivoted to said operating arm and said latch means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 11th day of July, 1930.

HYRUM RICKS, JR. 

